ys be bothered
between the two. But no doubt Crawley is better at business than I am."

"I say; he is awfully poor, Crawley is, and tries to make a show as if
he were rich," said Gould. "I know he has been dunned by old Tiffin
lately, and it is quite possible he may have paid him out of the club
money and got confused, eh? Of course, what I say is strictly between
ourselves."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

AN ACCIDENT.

"It is no business of mine," said Saurin, turning on his heel. "But if
any fellow likes to get up a subscription to make good Crawley's loss,
real or imaginary, I'll subscribe." And he sauntered off, whistling
carelessly.

Edwards had already detached himself from the group, feeling that he
must be alone to think upon the tremendous and horrible revelation which
had just dawned upon his mind. As Saurin passed him he hissed in his
ear the one word "Fool!" And there was such an evil look of mingled
rage and fear on his face as the human countenance is seldom deformed
by.

But Edwards met it without quailing, and there was nothing but aversion
in the glance he gave him back. The scales had fallen from his eyes,
and his infatuation was dissipated. Never again was he to listen
greedily to Saurin's words, and think them wiser than any others. Never
more would he admire and applaud him; build castles in the air, forming
wild projects for the future, in his company, or associate willingly
with him. They exchanged no other word, and Saurin went his way,
strolling in a leisurely manner till he was out of sight; and then
quickening his pace he took the direction of Slam's yard. At the rate
he was walking he soon got there, and going round to the well-known
back-door, he knocked. It was not long before he saw an eye
reconnoitring him through a crack.

"Come, do not keep me waiting here all day while you are squinting
through that hole!" he cried with a savage oath. "Let me in."

Josiah Slam said apologetically that he wanted to make sure who it was,
and admitted him.

"Have you got the money, master?" he asked.

"I have got four pounds, and that is all we can raise. It is as much as
we have had in cash, and if you will give up that memorandum for it I
will pay it you."

"Nonsense! it's for five pund, I tell yer, and five pund I will have."

"No you won't; I cannot get it. So if you won't take the four, let me
out. You may do your worst."

"Come, say four ten."

"You fool, don't you see I